84 



THE RISDON SETTLEMENT. 



Military 

 operations 

 against the 

 aboiigines of 

 V.D.L., 

 House of 

 Commons 

 Paper, 23rd 

 September, 

 1831, p. 53. 



It would appear from the numbers of them, and the spears, 

 (fee., with which they were armed, that their design was to 

 attack us. However, it was not until they had thoi'oughly 

 convinced us of their intentions, by using violence to a settler's 

 wife, and my own seiwant — who was returning into camp with 

 some kangaroos, one of which they took from him — that they 

 were fired upon. On their coming into camp and surrounding 

 it, I went towards them with five soldiers. Their appearance 

 and numbers I thought very far from friendly. During this 

 time I was informed that a party of them was beating Birt, 

 the settler, at his farm. I then despatched two soldiers to his 

 assistance, with orders not to fire if they could avoid it. 

 However, they found it necessary ; and one was killed on the 

 spot, and another found dead in the valley. 



But at this time a great party was in the camp ; and, on a 

 proposal from Mr. Mountgarret to fire one of the carronades 

 to intimidate them, they depa,rted. 



Mr. Mountgarret, with some soldiers and prisoners, fol- 

 lowed them some distance up the valley, and have reason to 

 suppose more was wounded, as one was seen to be taken 

 away bleeding. During the time they were in camp, a num- 

 ber of old men were perceived at the foot of the hill, near the 

 valley, employed in preparing spears. 



I have now, Sir, as near as I can recollect, given you the 

 leading particulars, and hope there has nothing been done but 

 what you approve of. 



I have the honor to be, &c. 



William Moore, 

 Lieut. N.S.W. Corps. 



It will be noticed that in this letter Lieut. Moore, 

 who had every reason to represent the conduct of the 

 natives in the worst li^'ht, can show no direct act of 

 hostility. He assumed that they were hostile, from their 

 numbers ; and, for the beating of Birt, and the proposed 

 burning of his hut, he has no evidence to offer but a 

 report brought to him in the midst of the panic which the 

 appearance of tho blacks had caused among his people. 

 That the doctor's proposal to fire the carronade should 

 have induced savages, who did not understand the 

 language and had never seen fire-arms, to withdraw, is 

 too great a stretch on one's credulity. We know, from 

 Knopwood, that the gun was fired; but, whether it was 

 loaded with blank cartridge or with grape we have no 

 means of deciding. 



The only other eye-witness of the affair whose account 

 we have directly contradicts Lieut. Moore ; and his 

 story looks probable, like the story of a man who had 

 kept his head amidst the general panic. This witness is 

 one Edward White, who was examined before Governor 

 Arthur's Aborigines' Committee in 1830. In considering 

 his evidence it should be remembered that at the time he 

 gave it the exasperation of the whole colony against the 



